“What made you think of that?” Amelia didn’t agree or object.


    “I want to make money and be as impressive as you, Reba said. She used to not really get her mom–so much had always been kept from her.


    But now, things were different–she finally understood.


    Her mom was a real pro at making money.


    She had connections everywhere.


    She lived lifepletely on her own terms, never needing to depend on anyone else.


    “I’ve set aside enough money for you to never worry about finances, Reba,” Amelia said softly. She didn’t want her daughter to go through the hardships she did; all she wanted was for Reba to see the world for herself. “Even if you bring Samuel with you, the two of you could live carefree<i>, </i>without a single worry.”


    But this was the first time Reba was so stubborn about something. “But I want to, Mom,” she insisted, determination shining in her eyes.


    Amelia raised an eyebrow, “You really want this?”


    Reba nodded eagerly. “Yeah!”


    Amelia met Reba’s determined stare with soft, thoughtful eyes. “Is this because of what Jeffrey said during the divorce?”


    “That’s part of it,” Reba said honestly, her voice steady. She’d grown up so muchtely. “But mostly, I want to be someone strong–I don’t want to be some couch potato just living off my family’s money forever.”


    Looking back, she realized she’d never given any of this a thought until everything blew up.


    Her whole life, her parents shielded her from worries, giving her all the cash she wanted to spend however she pleased.


    After marrying Jeffrey, things were even easier. All she had to do was look after Samuel and keep the house running. Money? Never her problem.


    But after all that had happened, Reba finally got it: if she didn’t have some real skills and her own money, she’d always be at the mercy of others. To really live without fear–to be able to face whatever came her way- she needed to rely on herself. Only then could she truly feel at ease, no matter what life threw at her.


    “You’re already doing great,” Amelia said gently, not wanting her daughter to go through hardship. “All those things you can do–dancing, drawing–I never learned any of them myself.”


    “But that only covers the basics,” Reba replied, her eyes unwavering. “I want more than just to get by–I want enough strength and security that nothing can shake me, no matter whates. Please teach me, Mom.”


    11:02 Thu, <b>Oct </b>2


    “It’s hard work.” Amelia cautioned.


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    “I’m not afraid,” Reba said firmly. If anything, working hard just makes me feel more alive, she thought.


    Atst, Amelia nodded and agreed.


    She talked Reba through the basics ofunching a business. “Take some time to think about your strengths, and what kind of venture you’d like to start. Once you’ve worked it out, write me a business n and let me


    see.”


    “Okay,” Reba replied.


    Amelia added gently, “I’ve put the start–up money on the card for you. Take whatever you need.”


    Reba felt her heart grow soft and warm. “Thank you, Mom.”


    “Silly girl,” Amelia said softly, feeling a surge of guilt in her heart.


    She’d only wanted Reba to experience the beauty of the world, but now she realized her daughter had gone through so much already.


    Knock knock.


    *****


    Reba and Amelia turned toward the sound and saw Stephen standing in the doorway, looking as put- together as ever in his custom gray suit. His silver–rimmed sses gave him that signature gentle, refined air. He asked with his usual polite tone, “May Ie in?”


    Reba couldn’t help but wonder what brought him here, but she nodded anyway. “Sure.”


    Stephen’s lips curled into a polite smile as he turned to the person behind him. “Come in and say hi to Amelia.”


    Reba blinked, a little lost.


    ‘Who?‘ she wondered.


    Before she could think further, a young woman stepped into the room alongside Stephen.


    She was about half a head shorter than him, with long hair flowing over her shoulders and gentle, fox–like eyes that made her look both graceful and approachable. The white dress she wore added a touch of quiet elegance and softness.


    Reba nced at her, and just then, the woman’s gazended right on Reba.


    “Is this the girl I’ve heard about?” Reba asked. She knew there was someone close to Stephen, but she’d never seen her until now.


    “No,” Stephen answered, still in that calm, warm tone, “just a good friend of mine–Karen Lindsay.”


    <b>11:02 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>


    The moment those words left Stephen’s lips, the atmosphere in the room shifted.


    A barely noticeable trace of self–deprecation flickered in Karen’s eyes.


    ??


    Reba noticed it instantly–and in that split second, she knew for sure: this was the girl Stephen had been hiding all this time, the one he never let anyone see, refusing to admit she was anything more than just a friend. ‘So it’s her, Reba thought, her mind sharp as ever.


    “This is Amelia, Jeffrey’s mother–inw,” Stephen said, introducing Karen beside him.


    Karen offered a gentle smile and greeted her. “Hello, Ms. Jensen.”


    Amelia froze for a split second as she took in Karen’s face.


    “That face… It’s so familiar, Amelia thought, a rush of recognition passing through her.


    Reba softly tapped her mother’s arm. “Mom?”


    Amelia collected herself, her gaze lingering briefly on the red mole <i>at </i>Karen’s earlobe. She kept herposure, betraying nothing. “Please, have a seat,” she said, her tone steady and calm.


    Stephen and Karen spent some time checking in on Amelia. Karen kept things polite and ssy, never missing <i>a </i>beat.


    Once the pleasantries were over, Stephen shot Reba a few sideways nces, subtle but not unnoticed.


    Reba picked up on it instantly and said straight–out, “You got something to say?”


    Karen looked a little surprised.


    ‘Wow, she’s really straightforward,‘ Karen thought.


    “Yeah, I do–there’s something I need to talk about,” Stephen said.


    “Say it,” Reba replied, her voice level but firm. She could tell he wasn’t here just to check on Amelia- everyone knew she and Stephen weren’t that close, especially with all the mess going on between him and Jeffrey.


    Stephen nced at Amelia. “Mind if we step outside for a quick word in private?”


    “No need, whatever you have to say, you can say it right here,” Reba answered inly, making it clear she wasn’t about to give him any one–on–one time. “There’s nothing you can’t say in front of my mom.”


    “I want to talk about you and Jeffrey,” Stephen said.


    “Say it,” Reba responded, not backing down for a second.


    Stephen got straight to the point. “Are you nning to take Samuel and Amelia and slip out of Jsburg— without telling Jeffrey?”


    Reba’s head snapped up in surprise.


    <b>11:02 </b><b>Thu</b>, <b>Oct </b><b>2 </b>


    She shot him a wary look, suddenly on alert.


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    “Stanley’s been pretty activetely, so it wasn’t exactly hard to guess,” Stephen said, his gaze unwavering. “If you want, I can help you leave without Jeffrey ever finding out or getting in the way.”


    Reba gave him a skeptical look. “What’s your goal here?”


    Stephen’s eyes stayed unreadable. “If ites to that, I want you to spare his life.


    Reba blinked, not sure what he meant.


    She had a guess but asked anyway, “Who?”


    “Jeffrey,” Stephen said inly. “My brother.”


    Reba stared at him, totally baffled. She never thought he’d actually say something like that. They’d alreadyid everything out before–Stephen had never truly cared about Jeffrey, so why was he pulling this same old stunt again? <fnd2be> Checktest chapters at find[?]ovel</fnd2be>


    “No tricks, just what I said,” Stephen said, catching the look on her face and knowing exactly what she was thinking.


    Reba didn’t buy it for a second.


    ‘Stephen’s not the type to do something out of the goodness of his heart,‘ she thought.


    Amelia sized up the situation and, thinking back to what Reba had whispered to her when she was out cold, made the call without hesitation. “Reba, just y along and agree.”


    Reba blurted out, “Mom, he’s no good.”


    Stephen just stared for a moment, at a loss for words.


    Karen blinked, looking totally thrown off by how blunt she was.


    “He’s Jeffrey’s brother, after all—of course a brother is going to care about his own family,” Amelia said, giving Reba a pointed look. She could see through all the rich family drama in a heartbeat. “Don’t overthink it. Everyone’s got their own agenda, so just go with it.”


    Stephen finally turned his attention to Amelia, giving her a real look now.


    ‘So this is Jeffrey’s mother–inw–guess she’s not at all what I expected,‘ he thought.


    “Just spare his life?” Reba asked, straight to the point.


    Stephen met her eyes,pletely open. “That’s it.”


    Reba nced at her mom and agreed. “Alright.”


    Once everything was worked out, Stephen and Karen didn’t hang around. After a quick goodbye, they slipped out of the room.


    <b>11:02 </b>Thu, Oct 2


    As they reached the doorway. Karen diot Reba onest nce–a hint of envy flickering in bey hidden away en no time would notice


    “Karen,” Stephen called after her.


    She tumed, her voice bright and just a little bit yful “Hm?”


    Stephen’s gaze went dark, losing all its warmth. “Are you thinking of slipping away someday too–no goodbyes, no warning—just like Reba?”


    “No way,” Karen replied, clinging sweetly to his arm, her smile blooming like a flower. “You’re the best <b>thing </b>that’s ever happened to me. Even if you kicked me out, I’d still never leave you”


    Stephen fixed his gaze on her, seeing right through that fake smile–her whole face just a mask of lies.


    <b>‘</b>She hates my guts and wants to get out so badly, but look at her acting all lovey–dovey, he thought<b>, </b>a cold amusement flickering in his eyes.


    ‘People really will say anything for money, huh? he mused, watching her.


    “That’s more like it,” he replied, his tone ice–cold with a glint of cruelty. “Try running and I’ll make sure you never walk again.”